The Giennois hillsides from Saint-Père

The walk starts from the church square in Saint-Père.

(S/E) With your back to the church, take the road on the left and walk past the château. At the first junction, take the road on the left, then the first path on the right. Follow it straight on until you reach a junction with three other paths.

(1) Take the path furthest to your right, running alongside the vineyard, and follow it. Walk alongside the vineyard, then through a small wood. At the end of the path, after the wood, turn right and rejoin the road.

(2) Take the road opposite. It turns sharply left. Take the first path on the left. Continue along this path as it climbs.

(3) Pass the vineyard on your right and take the path on the right that runs alongside it, then turn onto the first path on the left, at the corner of another vineyard plot. Continue along this path, crossing the D33 road with care. Carry on straight ahead until you reach the entrance to the village of Ménetereau.

(4) At the first houses, take the road on the left and follow it to the end, into the heart of the village. Turn right and leave the road at the first bend, taking the path that leads downhill.

(5) At the end of this track, turn left onto the white track. Leave this track above the farm and take the grassy path running alongside the trees. Cross the D33 road with care to join the road opposite.

(6) At the cross, take the path on the left. Turn onto the path on the right which runs alongside a few rows of vines and is situated opposite the first vineyard plot on the left. At the road, turn right and then, at the bend, leave the road and take the path on the left. Continue straight on until you reach the cross-path.

(7) Turn left, follow the hedge, then take the first path on the right, towards the farm. The path becomes a small road which turns left; follow it to the first junction. Turn right, cross the stream and reach the entrance to the village of Villemoison.

(8) At the junction, cross the road and take the first small street going uphill on the right (Rue des Bougiers). Continue along the first street on the left and follow it straight on. It turns into a wide, unpaved track and then passes between vineyards and orchards.

(9) At the end of the track, take the path leading down to the left. In the village, carry on straight ahead to return to the church square (S/E).

There is very little shade on this walk, which winds its way through vineyards and cereal fields. Don’t forget your hat.

Visit Cosne-sur-Loire. Cross the Loire to explore the Sancerre region. Visit the independent winegrowers in Ménetereau.